Current mood:	sick
Entry tags:	across the universe, archer x rin, fanfic, fate/stay night

[Across The Universe][Driving Me Mad][B-Side]
Title: Driving Me Mad {B-Side}
Rating: MA. That means not-work safe Archer/Rin love.
Characters: Archer x Rin
Word Count: 22, 383
Warning/s: Heaven's Feel spoilers, less this time around though.
Summary: Rin is honest, except to herself. Typically, it blows up in her face.
Dedication: For…Caradryan? Raistlin? What on earth am I supposed to call you? I mean, I’m grateful, but please pick a handle and stick with it.
A/N: Done for the 30_lemons challenge theme #22 Bottoms Up, or, "Surprise! Guess Who's on Top Tonight?"

Fate/stay night © TYPE-MOON / Kadokawa Shoten / Studio DEEN.

Cross-posted to fsn_fiction, 30_lemons and my writing lj.

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Worse than even she had imagined, as it turned out. Rin barely managed to keep her jaw from dropping as she stared at what looked like half the school-at least, the half that was female-crowded outside the dojo. Next to her, Shirou had a similar expression on his face that was somewhere between disbelief and horror.

"Tohsaka...women are scary," Shirou eventually said, running a hand through his hair. "I'm actually starting to feel sorry for that bastard."

"I'm sure it's just curiosity," Rin replied after giving Shirou a Look, though she wasn't feeling as confident about it as her words let on. "You know, new face in a small town and all that. But still, they shouldn't be getting in the way of Sakura and the others when they're trying to practice."

Shirou shrugged at that, a fond smile on his face. "Between her and Mitsuzuri, I'm sure they can handle it."

"That still doesn't mean they should have to deal with a bunch of interlopers," Rin said, scowling at the crowd for a reason she didn't care to examine too closely. "You think Archer would at least have the sense to make those girls go away."

"He doesn't even notice them," Shirou murmured to himself, his voice strangely quiet and eyes distant. Rin shot him a questioning look as he shook himself out of it, waving her off with a smile. "Let's go inside and see how Sakura's doing, Tohsaka."

Rin nodded, the two of them somehow making their way past the crowd to enter the dojo. Inside, the bolder of the girls were lounging against the walls and watching the proceedings. It didn't take a lot of observation to see they could have cared less about the archery itself, considering the way their eyes as a whole were firmly fixed on Archer. Rin's expression grew darker even as she realized Archer cut a nice figure in a gi and hakama. He looked the very essence of a Japanese kyudoka in the blue and white cloth...though she couldn't help but think he'd look better in pure black.

"Senpai!" Sakura hurried over, smiling cheerfully at them both. "You came by to watch after all."

"I did promise you I would, Sakura," Shirou reminded her, tugging gently at a lock of violet hair. "Besides, there's no way I'd miss out on that." He jabbed a thumb over where Archer was correcting the stance of a first year. A female first year who was blushing altogether too much for Rin's tastes.

"How has he been doing?" Rin asked, looking away from the sight that was only making her more and more irritated.

"Very well, actually," Sakura said, eyes flicking to note Rin's expression before settling into her normal sweet smile. "He doesn't mince words, but Archer-sa...Emiya-sensei clearly knows what he's doing. He has a way of correcting people so they overcome their mistakes and learn what they could work on for themselves. For the kind of teacher he is, it's a good skill."

"Really?" Rin looked back to where Archer was still helping the first year. To look at his face, most people wouldn't see happiness of any sort. But Rin could read genuine enjoyment in the lift of his brow and set of his jaw. She really shouldn't have been so surprised. Deep down, it had always been Archer's way to help those who needed it...and he really did love kyudo in a way few people did. Archer must have sensed her gaze, head lifting as his gaze met her own for a long moment.

"Nee-san," Sakura's subtle cough caught her attention. Rin started, face flushing as her sister gave her a knowing smile. "Would you and senpai like to stay and watch? You seem to have already gotten started on it."

"Is it me or have you gotten meaner lately?" Rin muttered as Sakura's smile widened. "Besides, you have enough people without any interest in archery already watching."

Sakura cast a penetrative look Rin's way as Shirou looked on obliviously. "Nee-san, you're too dishonest with yourself by far."

"Hey, Sakura, care to elaborate on that?" Rin asked, an irate vein popping up in her forehead. Sakura merely chuckled until a vaguely-familiar looking first year tapped her shoulder. Rin looked at the auburn-haired boy, trying to place where she had seen him before.

"Excuse me, Matou. Nee-chan needs you to fill out some paperwork for club," The boy told Sakura, face going distinctly surly at how close Shirou was standing to her. The sense of deja vu lifted as an arm was slung around the boy's shoulder, causing him to buckle slightly.

"Minori, I could have gotten Matou myself!" Ayako said cheerfully, ignoring the way his cheeks flushed as she let him go. With the siblings side by side, Rin finally caught the resemblence between Ayako and her younger brother. Even with Minori's aggravated face and Ayako's look of total and complete fear-

Wait, fear? What brought that on- Rin thought before she got a quick answer.

"Ayako, so you have a younger brother?" Rider beamed happily behind Rin. "It's lovely to meet you, Mitsuzuri-kun."

"Urk...Rider-san..." Ayako began to step back in a futile effort to get some space between herself and the Servant. "You did come by after all-"

"Yes," Rider said in the warmest of tones, smile bright as the sun. "I wanted to see Ayako in her kyudo uniform. Are you and Sakura going to the school to fill the paperwork out?"

Trapped, Ayako's shoulders slumped in defeat. "...Yes. Would you like me to show you around, Rider-san?"

"That would be wonderful, Ayako," Rider's glasses gleamed as she held onto the younger woman's hand. The girl sighed once more before leading the way, Sakura inclining her head before trailing after them.

"Does Rider...like Mitsuzuri?" Shirou asked, utterly bewildered.

"No, she's just clinging that closely because she enjoys cutting the circulation off in other people's arms," A deep voice sarcastically cut in from behind. Shirou and Rin turned to face Archer, the white-haired man eyeing his younger self with brow raised and arms crossed. Rin swallowed and looked down, feeling heat warm her cheeks.

"But they're both..." Shirou began, blushing to roughly the same shade as his hair. "And Mitsuzuri never really seemed like the type."

"Judging by Rider's approach, she's planning on winning Mitsuzuri over with mind-numbing persistence," Archer deadpanned, his steel-colored gaze resting on Rin. "Are you alright, Rin?"

"W-what? I'm fine, it's just warm in here," Rin said, taking an involuntary step back. With a quick breath she had composed herself enough to look him in the eye. "So, Sakura said things were going well?"

Archer shrugged, the movement sending his muscles flexing underneath his gi. "That's an optimistic assessment, but everyone is doing their best to adjust. It helps that all the members here have been with the archery club for at least a year, so they're willing to work hard."

"And the crowd doesn't bother you?" Rin asked, the words slipping out before she could stop herself. Her face began to warm again as she averted her eyes from him.

Archer blinked, looking honestly confused by the question. "Not really. If they want to observe and aren't disturbing anyone, it's not like it hurts."

"...Right, that makes sense," Rin responded quietly, fingers twisting with the handle of her book bag. She gave a little smile, the most she could manage at the moment. "If it builds interest-"

"Emiya-sensei!" A second year waved over at them, cutting Rin off. "Could you analyze my stance?"

"You should help him," Rin said, knuckles white with tension around the leather. "Shirou and I will just watch and stay out of the way."

Archer frowned at her, but read something in her expression that said she didn't want him to pursue it. He gave a sharp nod before heading over to help the second-year, leaving the two magi to walk to the wall where the other non-club members were watching.

They stayed for a good two hours, long enough for Sakura to return with Rider and Ayako in tow. For something Rin had little personal interest in, the time spent observing the archery club went by fast. Perhaps it was because Archer did it with such grace. Sometimes it felt like she would never tire of seeing him handle the bow.

Before she knew it, it was almost six. Shirou nudged her, indicating that if dinner was to be prepared at a reasonable hour, they'd have to leave now. Rin stood, brushing her skirt off as she looked around for Archer or Sakura.

"Nee-san, senpai, are you leaving now?" Sakura asked, approaching her as Archer made his way over to them.

"Yeah, I need to get started on dinner," Shirou said, squeezing her hand gently. "You two shouldn't be too much longer, right?"

"No," Archer replied, setting his bow against the wall. "The entire club is staying late tonight, so we won't be done till around eight."

"...Oh," Rin murmured, a strange wave of discontent washing over her. "I guess we'll just start on it without you."

Sakura eyed her sister carefully, missing nothing in her voice and expression. Her violet gaze moved to Shirou, but it seemed he was oblivious to Rin's less-apparent emotional currents as always...although he did seem to be looking at Archer for some reason.

After a long moment, Rin sensed Sakura's stare. She gave her younger sister an annoyed look before her expression returned to its normal composed state. "I'll go pry Rider away from Ayako, then. We'll have dinner ready by the time you get back."

Rin walked off to separate Rider from Ayako in a near-literal sense. Sakura watched her a second longer, before glancing at Shirou and Archer and giggling softly. Both men looked at her blankly, clearly not seeing the cause of her amusement.

"Sakura, what is it?" Shirou asked, face a little flustered.

"I-I'm sorry, senpai," Sakura laughed a bit, struggling to contain herself. "I just realized Archer-san and senpai have a lot more in common than I originally thought."

In unison, Archer and Shirou scowled. Sakura's expression only grew more amused, and their own darker, as they realized they were once again in sync.

"So much for hoping your personality wouldn't grow devilish," Archer muttered, brow furrowing as Sakura attempted to hide her smile with her hand. He looked over to where Rin was firmly dragging Rider away from Ayako, feeling his tension lessen involuntarily...until Sakura covered her mouth a little more firmly, shoulders shaking.

Shirou followed Rin and Rider after bidding Sakura goodbye and nodding slightly at Archer. The two kyudo-practitioners watched the three of them leave together in silence before Archer's eyes flicked down to Sakura.

"So, what did set you off in the first place?" Archer asked, picking his bow up from against the wall and testing the string automatically. To his slight confusion, Sakura gave him a fond smile as she brushed her hair back over her shoulder.

"You and senpai are both surprisingly dense in some ways, Archer-san," Sakura told him with a impish look, moving away to check on post-Rider Ayako.

Archer's eyes narrowed as he mentally vowed revenge. Dense how, Sakura? You're dating the King of Denseness, you have no right to talk.
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The setting sun painted the sky a thousand brilliant shades of scarlet and orange as Rin, Shirou, and Rider slowly walked down the path to the residential district from Homurabara Gakuen. A low rumble vibrated the air when a black motorcycle with two riders passed them by, but otherwise the streets were virtually empty. There was a steady silence as they walked, not exactly heavy but not conducive to conversation either.

This was mostly because of Rin. The dark-haired magus had been unusually quiet, giving off an air of deep contemplation as she walked a little ways before the other two. Not for the first time, Shirou and Rider exchanged a concerned look as they debated whether to say something or not. There was just something unnatural about Rin being so withdrawn, completely at odds with her normal confident self.

The trio had reached the intersection connecting the commercial and residential districts when Shirou had finally worked up the nerve to speak, when Rin abruptly stopped and distantly at the skyscrapers lining the horizon. There was more than a little conflict written in her expression, but a keen observer could tell Rin had finally made up her mind about something and there was no going back.

"Shirou, Rider," Rin spoke up with a tiny smile that seemed to be meant to reassure Rin herself as much as her two companions. "I have something I need to do in Shinto, so go on to your place without me. I should be back in time for dinner."

The red-head blinked, tilting his head curiously. "Tohsaka, what do you need to do?"

To their surprise, Rin flushed a little before striding away. "That doesn't matter, so just forget about it!"

Shirou and Rider both stared at her retreating figure with a mixture of confusion and curiosity. Suddenly, Shirou hissed sharply, grabbing his left wrist and applying pressure as pain flashed across his face.

"Shirou, are you alright?" Rider asked quickly, Rin's behavior forgotten in her concern for the boy beside her. She scanned the surrounding area, but detected no immediate threats.

"It's...it's fine, Rider," Shirou gritted out, controlling his breathing as his pained face began to ease. He relaxed the grip on his wrist slowly and carefully. "All of the sudden, my wrist just hurt..."

"Let me see." Rider told him, taking his arm carefully to study it under the slowly fading light.

A dark bruise was slowly forming, in sharp contrast to Shirou's lightly tanned skin. Rider's startled eyes met his, each looking at the other for answers that weren't coming.

"Shirou-" Rider started, before he waved her off.

"It's okay, Rider. It's just a bruise. It doesn't even hurt that much anymore," Shirou said, straightening up after picking up his bookbag from where it had fallen to the ground. "Let's just go home."

"But bruises don't form spontaneously," Rider replied, easily keeping up with Shirou's pace considering her long stride. "Sakura will be worried."

"If it happens again, I'll do something about it," Shirou answered, casting a glance at the river turned vivid ochre by the sunset. "We shouldn't bother her about small things."

Rider frowned but nodded reluctantly. "For now, at least."
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Shirou was halfway through preparing the beef curry when Rin returned, holding a bag from a store well known for its high-quality leather goods. Something in her face convinced him not to question her about it...mostly the understated but very real threat of violent retaliation. Instead he passed her an apron, smiling to show his good will.

"Tohsaka, could you get on chopping the vegetables?" Shirou asked, gesturing to where they were neatly laid out and washed. "I'm a little behind, so it'll help a lot."

"Hmph," Rin stared coolly at him for a moment, clearly waiting for some line of inquiry. Seeing none coming, she turned to the vegetables, cutting them into tidy, even pieces. "What were you planning on doing with them after?"

"It's curry tonight, so something light is best," Shirou told her, stirring the pot carefully as he tested the thickness of the curry sauce. "Just grilling them with a tare base was all I had in mind."

"I'll take care of that, then," Rin said, accentuating her words with the thud of the blade against the cutting board. "I see you've already got the rice cooking too, but do you really need that much for five people?"

Shirou ran a hand through his hair, mussing it a little as he chuckled. "I guess I forgot Fuji-nee wasn't going to be here for dinner. Well, I can use the leftovers for lunch tomorrow."

Rin laughed a little herself, turning to toss the chopped vegetables on the grill as she stirred the tare basting sauce. Dipping the brush in the sauce, she began to coat the vegetables to let them soak up the flavor. "Or maybe not. Some people around here have a pretty healthy appetite."

"Don't say that about people who can't defend themselves when you don't even eat breakfast most of the time, Tohsaka," Shirou said pointedly, letting the curry simmer as he began to dice tofu to add to the miso soup. "It's not good to skip meals."

Rin glared at him for a second, flipping the grilling vegetables to brush the other side with the savory tare. "It's not like that. If I'm not hungry, I shouldn't force myself to eat."

Her anger slid off Shirou like water, barely noticed by the red-head as he chopped wakame efficiently before lifting the cutting board and adding it to the miso. "But it's funny, Tohsaka. You always eat breakfast when Archer makes it-ow!"

Smiling sweetly, Rin increased the pressure on the fingers pinching Shirou's side. "Emiya-kun, are you sure this is an avenue of thought you wish to keep pursuing? By all means, keep on going if you like." She waited for his head to shake in firm denial before letting him go, serenely turning to move the now finished vegetables to a waiting tray.

"Red devil," Shirou mumbled, rubbing the tender spot until the worst of the sting faded. "I knew the Tohsaka at school was a complete fake, but to think she was this much of a bully-"

Fortunately for the sake of Shirou's well being, the sound of the door opening and two pairs of footsteps entering the Emiya house distracted Rin from violent retribution.

"We're home~!" Sakura's voice rang out cheerfully, instantly washing away the tense atmosphere in the kitchen. "Senpai, do you need any help with dinner?"

A second later, the timer Shirou had going for the curry rang to indicate it was ready. He turned it off before removing his apron and hurrying to the entrance hall to greet his girlfriend. "No, Sakura. You came just as it fini-" He stopped, eyes widening as he spotted the bandage neatly tied around Archer's left wrist exactly where Shirou's own was wrapped.

"Senpai?" Sakura asked curiously, following his gaze to Archer's arm. "Oh, it's nothing serious. Archer-san was helping a first year who hadn't strung her bow properly, so the tsuru snapped. It was nothing an ice pack and bandage couldn't fix."

"Concerned about my health, Emiya?" Archer asked sarcastically, setting his equipment down carefully. "I'm almost touched."

"Not in a million years," Shirou shot back flatly, shoving his hand in his pocket so his own bandage couldn't be seen. "What kind of ex-Heroic Spirit can't dodge a snapped bowstring?"

Their eyes met with piercing force, glaring heatedly at each other until two meaningful coughs sounded. Both men turned to cool, calm expressions and crossed arms from both Sakura and Rin. In its own way, it was far scarier than anything they could do to each other.

"Are you two quite finished?" Rin asked, giving them both a look rather reminiscent of a mother faced with two misbehaving little boys. "Dinner's all set out, and I don't feel like waiting any longer."

"Senpai, Archer-san, be civil," Sakura chided, her chastising tone striking as hard as Rin's scolding one. She let them soak in their own guilt for a long beat before smiling gracefully. "Let's go eat now."
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"So, how did it go?" Rin blew on her steaming curry, trying to cool the dish before taking a bite. Unsurprisingly, it was delicious as everything else Shirou made. "Is the kyudo range still in one piece?"

"Nee-san!" Sakura protested, expression wounded before she caught sight of the teasing look on Rin's face and relaxed. "It went very well, for your information."

Rin sipped her tea, waving a hand at her sister. "Yes, yes, Archery Club Captain. I see you're taking your duties very seriously."

Sakura pouted a second before straightening up. "Well, there were rough patches here and there. Everyone's used to Fujimura-sensei, and Archer-san's teaching method is very, um, different from hers..."

"Harsher, Sakura. You don't need to skirt around it," Archer's mouth curved in a sardonic smile as he sipped the last of his miso soup. Before he had even completely set the bowl down, Shirou reached for it. A bemused look was cast his way as the redhead began to refill the bowl.

"You're intuitive tonight, Emiya. Too bad it isn't for a more useful situation," Archer commented, taking the full bowl back from Shirou.

"Huh?" Shirou blinked, sounding slightly confused. "I could just...tell you wanted some more..." His voice trailed off, expression oddly thrown. Sakura shot him a concerned look as Shirou mussed his hair in thought.

"Are you alright, Shirou?" Rider asked, setting her spoon down as she noticed her Master's boyfriend's distress.

"W-what? I'm fine, nothing's wrong!" Shirou said quickly, waving both hands in denial. "It's just been a busy day, that's all."

The rest of the table gave him a shared look of complete disbelief.

"Completely unconvincing, senpai."

"Shirou, it's just too sad to watch your feeble attempts."

"I can't believe I was ever that bad at lying."

"Well, if Shirou tries very, very hard, he just might grow up to be a terrible adult like you, Archer."

"Rider, that's going a bit far-"

"Hey, I wasn't lying when I said I was fine!" Shirou interrupted them all, palms slamming against the table. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. "Look, I appreciate the concern, but nothing's wrong. I promise I'd say something if there was."

Sakura reached out to hold one of his hands in her smaller, softer one. "You promise, senpai?" Gentle violet eyes gazed at him, worry still very much evident.

Shirou smiled back at her, lightly patting Sakura's head. "I do. You know I keep my word, Sakura."

Her face relaxed some, but she still looked unsettled. "I'll even take it easy after dinner if it'll make you feel better."

"Good. I'll go take care of the dishes, so just take care not to strain yourself," Rin said, leisurely finishing off the rest of her meal before dabbing her mouth gracefully with a napkin. She gave him a look that clearly stated any response to the contrary would not be wise. "Isn't that right, Shirou?"

Shirou bowed his head, acquiescing without a fight. "Yes, Tohsaka."
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True to his word, Shirou simply sat at the table as he watched the evening news with Rider and Sakura. Neither the television nor the sounds of Archer and Rin washing the dishes were enough to distract him from his thoughts, which while having not reached the level of true worry, were nonetheless confusing and more than a little abnormal.

Shirou remembered dreaming of swords, when Archer's arm had been transplanted onto him. Even through the fracturing of his consciousness, innumerable blades had always been crystal clear. But those blades hadn't been simple weapons, or even just Noble Phantasms-at the heart, they made up the core of Archer's existence. They were Archer, in a way.

He was beginning to realize the consequences of being so deeply connected to another being were longer lasting than he originally thought, even with the connection severed. Absently, Shirou rubbed his left arm as his eyes flicked to Archer for a second. Being able to read his alternate self that well, to even anticipate his actions and desires...while it didn't seem outright harmful in any way, it was still strange. Moreover, he just plain didn't want to be connected someone he disliked so strongly. Not for the first time, Shirou wondered how Tohsaka put up with the man, only to forcefully suppress the thought as he realized that relationship was one best left unexamined for the sake of his sanity.

Shirou took a sip of the green tea Sakura had brewed before shifting to look at where Tohsaka and Archer were finishing up the last of the dirty dishes. There was something strangely amusing about watching a Heroic Spirit do something so mundane, more so because a slender girl had effectively bossed him into it. But that was another thing he had noticed about Archer, willingly or not. The white-haired man had always been perfectly content with doing even the most domestic tasks, as long as Tohsaka was the one who asked.

In spite of himself, Shirou wondered why that was. He watched them for a moment as Archer washed and Rin dried the dishes. Archer's face was composed as always, though the redhead had noticed lately that the set of his jaw seemed to have become less tense. Shirou rested his chin against his hand, not seeing anything notable in so ordinary a scene.

Then Archer gazed at Rin, and everything became as clear as a summer's day.

It was easy for Shirou to tell, even though he wasn't the most observant person around. How could he not? The look on Archer's face was the same Shirou had whenever he looked at Sakura.

Archer loves Tohsaka. He loves her.

The thought rang through his head, banishing anything else. Shirou stared, unable to help himself as he was shocked to the core. He had always known that Archer had a kind of regard for Tohsaka that no one else earned from him. It wasn't even hard to think he cared for her, in his own way. But that Archer was in love with her had never even crossed Shirou's mind, even with the...intimate...relationship they seemed to have settled into.

And Tohsaka...

Shirou hesitated at the thought of her. Tohsaka was harder to place. He was sure she cared about Archer too, but whether she loved him in return or not...

Well, what he was sure about was that she wasn't ready to love Archer either way. The white haired man must have known that himself. It explained the underlying pain in his eyes, that he couldn't be honest about how he felt lest he risk losing her-

"Emiya, you have three seconds to stop staring before I punch you," Archer's deep voice cut into Shirou's chain of thought. Still shaken, Shirou gazed blankly at the visibly irritated man, his thoughts going in a million directions at once.

Archer's eyes narrowed. "One-"

"Oh, stop it Archer," Rin said, drying her hands off before resting them on her hips. "Shirou, is everything alright?"

"I...I..." Shirou stuttered, feeling his face flame as he quickly looked down to avoid Rin's sharp eyes. "I think I need to lay down for a bit."

Sakura stood with him, hands smoothing out her skirt. "I'll go with you, senpai, in case you need anything."

Shirou gave her a grateful look, taking her hand as they walked to the room they shared together. Sakura opened the door, shutting it complete close after Shirou. Settling easily in seiza position at the top of their futon, the violet-haired girl patted her lap insistently.

"Sakura?" Shirou asked, expression inviting an explanation.

"You're going to rest your head on my lap, senpai," Sakura told him in a firm tone, contrasting with her lightly flushed cheeks. "And then you're going to tell me what really made you react like that."

Despite himself, Shirou laughed as he obediently lay down to pillow his head on Sakura's soft thighs. "I really can't hide anything from you, can I?"

Sakura smoothed his hair down with a delicate touch, voice cheerful yet not having a single crack in its conviction. "No, you can't. I've watched senpai far too long to be easily fooled, so you may as well share with me."

"Yes, yes," Shirou sighed, just enjoying the warmth of her body and the relaxing strokes of her hand. It took a considerable effort of willpower not to simply drowse off. "I just...well, it's not something that's easy for an amateur magus like me to explain."

"Senpai?" Sakura asked, her hand resting on his hair. "Do I need to get Nee-san?"

"No!" Shirou replied quickly, panicking at the thought of facing Rin after that. "No, you don't need to get Tohsaka. It actually has to do with her, in a way."

"Eh? With Nee-san?" Sakura echoed, and Shirou could sense just a hint of a pout in her tone.

"Only because it's really about Archer." Shirou reassured her, reaching out to hold her free hand. He felt Sakura grow calm once more before he continued. "Like I said, it's hard for an amateur like me to explain, but...I've kind of been getting...flashes...from him. You know, I'll be able to tell what he's thinking or feeling once in a while."

"Flashes...because of when your circuits were bonded together?" Sakura mused to herself, growing concern evident in her voice. She gasped softly as she looked down at Shirou's hand, finger skimming the bandage around his wrist. "Senpai, your left-"

"I know. It's in the same place where Archer was injured," Shirou finished, squeezing her hand to comfort her. "Let me guess, it happened around...six thirty?"

"T-that's right, senpai," Sakura confirmed with a soft voice. "Yours happened at the same time?" She went silent, stroking his hair once more. "I should talk to Nee-san. You and Archer-san still being connected..."

Shirou shifted to look up at her, the troubled look on her face a stab in his heart. "Sakura, it's okay. It's a little weird, but it's not painful or causing any harm."

Sakura bit her lip, her eyes meeting his. "But..."

His fingers tightened around hers as Shirou gave her the most reassuring smile he could. "Don't worry about it, Sakura. If it gets any stronger, I'll go see Tohsaka." He winced a little, praying it wouldn't come to that. "I just hope she won't press me too closely for details."

Sakura looked confused at that. "Why would that be a problem?"

"Because then I'd have to tell her how I could tell Archer and I are connected, and that would mean telling her Archer's in love with her." Shirou said without thinking until Sakura's gasp registered. "Oh crap-"

"Senpai, is that true?" Sakura beamed, her face lighting up as she bounced a little. "Archer-san loves Nee-san?"

"Er...yes, he does. But she-" Shirou began, but he could already tell Sakura was in her own world.

"They'd have such a cute baby, don't you think?" Sakura sighed dreamily, hands to her flushed cheeks. "She'd be like a tiny little Nee-san..."

Shirou shuddered, rather nightmarish visions of the kind of offspring Archer and Rin would produce dancing across his vision. A beautiful angel with the heart and mind of a demon seemed to be not too far off the mark...

"Shirou-jii-san! How come this tamagoyaki isn't as good as Otou-san's? But then again, my Otou-san is the best so maybe it should be expected."

"Shirou-jii-san! You'll help me fix the teapot before Okaa-san notices, right?"

"Shirou-jii-sannnnn-"

"I'd be a good auntie, and sew her baby clothes and sit for her-" Sakura continued as Shirou shook his head in a desperate attempt to wipe the images from his mind.

"But Sakura, she's not ready to love him back," Shirou interrupted her, the dreamy haze lifting from her violet eyes. "That's why he's keeping it a secret. So she won't get scared and leave him."

"Hm. That's..." Sakura mused, thinking on this. "Unfortunately true. Nee-san isn't good at being honest about how she feels." She sighed ruefully, fingers running through Shirou's hair absently. "Even though she's probably half in love with him already, if she knew how he felt...she'd end it in an instant. Archer-san really does know Nee-san well."

"Any relationship with two people as headstrong as Archer and Tohsaka is bound to be complicated," Shirou replied, closing his eyes as he relaxed into Sakura's touch. "Now it really comes down to is who's the more stubborn out of them."

"And who do you think that is, senpai?" Sakura asked, amusement coloring her tone.

"Tohsaka is a formidable opponent," Shirou said, a small smirk twisting his lips. "But Archer is the most stubborn, devious bastard who's ever lived."

"Senpai..." Sakura reprimanded, but the tilt of her smile betrayed her agreement with Shirou's opinion.

"Against Archer, Tohsaka doesn't stand a chance," Shirou continued, not missing the irony of supporting a man with whom he had such an antagonistic relationship. "Not that she isn't going to make him work for it."
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There was a companionable quiet in the air as Archer and Rin made their way down the streets, returning home as night fell around them.

Or rather, almost companionable. But it would have taken an astute observer indeed to notice the hint of forcibly-repressed irritation in Rin's eyes that had remained even hours after seeing the crowd of girls at the archery dojo.

"You know, you never really gave your opinion, Archer," Rin said suddenly, cheeks reddening slightly at his questioning look. "How you thought things went today."

"Oh, that," Archer shrugged, grey eyes closed in reflection. "It wasn't perfect, but everyone being willing to work so hard is a good sign." He smiled a bit as he recalled the proceedings in the dojo. "There are some members with real skill, too. It's not surprising that they frequently do well in competitions."

"You actually have a good view of them, huh?" Rin noted, her eyes narrowing. "And they didn't even have to use a Command Spell to earn it first."

Archer smirked down at her, biting back a laugh. "Still sore over that, Rin?"

Rin glared at him, tossing a lock of hair over her shoulder. "You made me waste a powerful piece of thaumaturgy. On purpose."

"It wasn't a complete waste, Rin," Archer pointed out. "Although being killed and resurrected seems to have broken the Order."

"Hmph. It's still unfair. It's not like you didn't know I would be a good Master, but you still put me through all that." Rin said, giving him a cool look that slipped a bit on seeing the obvious amusement in his face.

"Are you sure you aren't just regretting I don't have to bow to your slightest whim now, Rin?" Archer teased her, enjoying the way her face flushed. "You know, 'Obey my every command' is a rather suspicious choice of words-"

"Shut up!" Rin shot back, shoving the gate open with a bang. "I was right from the start, you don't deserve any praise at all."

Catching up with her in a second's time, Archer's hand closed over Rin's on the doorknob.

"Oh? To think after all this, my Master still has a low opinion of me," Archer's voice brushed huskily against Rin's ear. Catching the way her breath hitched along with the lovely flush rising on her cheeks, he smirked slightly as his fingers stroked her hand. "Shall I do something that would earn your regard, Rin?"

The gentle flush immediately heated up into a furious blush. Speechless, Rin stared up at Archer as he casually opened the door to let them both inside to shut it just as smoothly.

"W-w-what?" Rin stammered, her head spinning with surprise. "This early in the evening...you want to..."

"You never objected to having tea at night before, Rin," He said, giving her a smile of schoolboy-like innocence before his expression went devilish. "Or did you have something else in mind? You know I'd be happy to give you whatever you need-"

"Just make the tea!" Rin replied hastily, shrugging out of her coat with record speed. A faint chuckle followed her as she strode to the sitting room, her face still aflame. Seating herself on the plush cream-colored couch, Rin gave a small frustrated sigh.

"What's wrong with me?" Rin murmured softly. Glancing at her schoolbag and thinking of the contents within it before shaking her head, the magus sighed once more in a mixture of amusement and resignation. "Well, I'm glad he's enjoying himself. The least I can do is see things to the end."
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The brightness of the next day saw Archer and Rin engaging in what had become a ritual for them both. There was something deep and undeniably pleasant about those quiet mornings, letting comfortable silence hold steady with only the sounds of the tea being poured and sipped breaking it.

Rin fidgeted with the spoon she was using to stir her tea with, fighting her feelings of irrational anxiety. In her opinion, there was nothing to be anxious about an innocent gift between, well, whatever she and Archer were to each other-

"I think the sugar and cream are completely stirred in now, Rin," Archer commented from the armchair he was lounging gracefully in, accentuating his words with a sip of his beverage. "Seven minutes straight is more than enough."

Rin started, setting her tea down with a violent clatter. There was a moment's strained silence as Archer eyed her in clear amusement, though there were flashes of concern in his grey eyes too.

"Is the tea not to your liking, Rin?" He asked, placing his now-empty cup noiselessly on the table.

"N-no, that's not it!" Rin said quickly, shaking her head in denial. Reddening at the force of his bemused look, she reached into her book bag for the simply wrapped package to toss it at him. "Here."

Archer caught it easily, studying it with a blank face as if he didn't quite know what it was or what he was supposed to do with it.

"It's for you, idiot," Rin clarified, sipping her tea to cover her rising embarrassment. "I saw it and I thought it was something you could use."

"I...thank you, Rin," Archer said sincerely. "Do you want me to open it now?"

"Do what you like," Rin replied as indifferently as she could, his faint smile telling her it failed. Taking another long sip of her tea to wet her dry throat, Rin let the rustling of paper fill the air.

Utter silence. The dark-haired girl's fingers tightened to near whiteness around the handle, anxious regret already filling her.

"Ar-"

"I don't know what to say, Rin," Archer said quietly, carefully holding the black leather archery glove. "It's been a long time since I've owned anything so fine."

Rin stared for a second, her face burning so crimson she felt feverish. "D-don't say such things until you actually try it on! Just because it looks right doesn't mean anything, e-especially since I had to guess your hand span-"

"You can relax," Archer told her soothingly, slipping the glove on and flexing his hand to test the fit. "It's perfect."

The warm, gentle smile he gave her had her heart pounding painfully hard in her chest. With considerable effort Rin finished her tea, standing up with her coat hooked over her arm. "W-we should get going now if you want to make club on time."

"Are you sure you want to come along, Rin?" Archer asked, slipping the glove in the linen pouch that came with it. "I know this is pretty early for you."

"It's fine," Rin told him, her face still faintly red as she slipped her coat. "Just concentrate on teaching and don't worry about me."
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A few days later, Rin reflected she really should have chosen her words with more care. Not that there was anything wrong with Archer working hard, which he was, or that she couldn't take care of herself, which she could. It was just-

"He's really handsome, isn't he? Emiya-sensei."

-That. Counting back from ten slowly, Rin forced herself to relax her death grip on her chopsticks and stop pretending they were her classmate's neck.

Maybe she had brought it on herself to some extent. Rin wasn't oblivious to the power of Archer's good looks and fit body, even if he was. Toss him into an environment full of teenage girls who were emotionally ahead of their male peers by a few years and the end result was practically inevitable.

After several straight days of fawning, the cool logic was starting to lose its power. She knew she didn't have right or reason to feel the hot anger that was frequently spiking up, but it happened all the same.

A dreamy sigh escaped the group of girls still gossiping near her.

"And when he bends over in that hakama-"

Rin snapped her chopsticks in half with a loud crack.

"T...Tohsaka-san..." Yukika whispered, eyes wide. "Would you like to borrow a set of chopsticks?"

Taking a very deep breath for composure, Rin smiled as gracefully as she could. "If you don't mind, Saegusa-san."

Kaede grinned like a fox, chewing on her yakisoba pan with gusto. "Better get her some painkillers too, what with her attitude today-"

"Makidera-san, are you sure you want to finish that sentence?" Rin asked, smile sweet as candy laced with arsenic. "I know you normally don't think that far ahead, but even your survival instinct isn't that dull."

"Eep," The tanned girl huddled in her chair. "Better make that painkillers and chocolate-hey!" Grumbling, she peeled the shrimp tempura Rin had thrown at her forehead off before eating it with a shrug. "Mmm, it's really good."

Himuro glanced at Rin, expression unreadable. "Are you feeling alright, Tohsaka-san?"

"Just a headache," Rin said smoothly. "It'll go away once I eat."
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Stay tuned for the Bonus Track